Getting to Lake Toba, Indonesia

Getting There and Away

Written by Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans, Budi Santoso

16/08/2025

Scenic aerial view of Lake Toba's lush green coastline in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Afif Ramdhasuma, Pexels

Major transport hubs for reaching Lake Toba are Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan and the closer Silangit International Airport (DTB). From the mainland, Parapat serves as the primary gateway port to Samosir Island, located within Lake Toba. The main bus terminal in Medan for onward travel to Parapat is Amplas Bus Terminal.

Flying to Silangit International Airport (DTB):

This airport is approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Parapat. Taxis from the airport to Parapat generally cost between IDR 300,000 and IDR 350,000. Alternatively, a DAMRI bus service runs from Silangit Airport to Parapat pier four times a day, with a journey time of around 3 hours and costs between IDR 65,000 and IDR 220,000.

From Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan:

Private Car/Taxi:: A private car transfer from Kualanamu International Airport to Parapat takes approximately 3.5 to 5 hours and costs between IDR 800,000 and IDR 1,500,000 per car. Shared taxis are also available, costing around IDR 90,000 per seat.
Public Bus:: Take a DAMRI bus from Kualanamu Airport to Amplas Bus Terminal (approximately 20-60 minutes, IDR 15,000 - IDR 40,000). From Amplas, public buses to Parapat take about 4 to 6 hours and cost between IDR 20,000 and IDR 60,000. The total journey from Medan Airport to Parapat via public bus can take 4.5 to 7 hours.
Train and Bus Combination:: From Medan, a train (KA Siantar Ekspres) travels to Pematang Siantar in approximately 3 hours 50 minutes, costing IDR 22,000 to IDR 40,000. From Pematang Siantar, a local bus or becak to Parapat takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs IDR 25,000 to IDR 80,000. Note that train schedules might require an overnight stay in Parapat to catch the last ferry.

Ferry from Parapat to Samosir Island:

Once in Parapat, ferries are essential to reach Samosir Island, specifically the main tourist area of Tuk Tuk. Passenger ferries depart from Tiga Raja Port hourly, typically from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM (last ferry times can vary by season, with the last ferry around 6:00 PM in low season), costing IDR 25,000 per person, and take 30 to 45 minutes. These ferries often drop passengers directly at their accommodation's jetty in Tuk Tuk. For late arrivals or vehicles, car ferries operate from Ajibata Port to Tomok or Ambarita until 9:00 PM or later on busy days, with passenger fares ranging from IDR 17,000 to IDR 37,000.

Returning from Samosir Island:

Passenger ferries from Tuk Tuk to Tiga Raja Port in Parapat operate hourly, with the earliest departures around 6:30 AM from the north side of the peninsula.

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